75 articles - From Friday Dec 23 2022 to Friday Dec 30 2022
Guidelines and related publications, position statements, white papers, technical reviews, consensus statements, etc…
| Rheumatology (Oxford) |
meta-analyses and systematic reviews
| Ann Rheum Dis |
Individual patient data meta-analysis on continued use of glucocorticoids after their initiation as bridging therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Based on these RA clinical trial arms with an initial GC bridging schedule, the probability of subsequent ongoing GC use following bridging is low. |
| Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) |
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS FEATURES ON MRI IN INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT OSTEOARTHRITIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. Within the sparse and diverse evidence available, no strong evidence was found for the presence nor the absence of an association between PA and the presence or progression of OA MRI features among non-OA subjects. Therefore, more research is required before PA in general and also specific forms of PA can be deemed safe for knee joint structures. |
| Rheumatology (Oxford) |
Multi-biomarker disease activity score: an objective tool for monitoring rheumatoid arthritis? A systematic review and meta-analysis. MBDA score might be used as an objective disease activity marker. In addition, it is also a reliable prognostic marker of radiographic progression. |
RCT, clinical trials, retrospective studies, etc…
| Ann Rheum Dis |
Clinical and genetic factors associated with radiographic damage in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Knockdown of RYR3 inhibited matrix mineralisation in SaOS2 cell lines. This study identified clinical and genetic factors that contributed to better understanding of the pathogenesis and biology associated with radiographic damage in AS. |
Mass spectrometry-based identification of new anti-Ly and known antisynthetase autoantibodies. CARS1 is the dominant cognate ARS autoantigen of the newly discovered anti-Ly ASA specificity. Rare and common ASA specificities could be detected by both unbiased and targeted IP-MS. Unbiased and targeted IP-MS are promising methods for discovery and detection of autoantibodies, especially autoantibodies that target complex autoantigens. |
Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction promotes entheseal pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis. In addition, Piezo1 was upregulated by AS-associated inflammatory cytokines. Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction promotes entheseal pathological new bone formation through CaMKII signalling in AS. |
Role of CD14+ monocyte-derived oxidised mitochondrial DNA in the inflammatory interferon type 1 signature in juvenile dermatomyositis. These results describe a novel pathway where altered mitochondrial biology in JDM CD14+ monocytes lead to oxmtDNA production and stimulates ISG expression. Targeting this pathway has therapeutical potential in JDM and other IFN type 1-driven autoimmune diseases. |
Senescent cell population with ZEB1 transcription factor as its main regulator promotes osteoarthritis in cartilage and meniscus. These single-cell studies identified a senescent pathogenic cell cluster that is present in cartilage and meniscus and has FAP and ZEB1 as main regulators which are novel and promising therapeutic targets for OA-associated pathways in both tissues. |
| Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) |
"Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Enhances the Assessment of Disease Activity in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis". Subclinical synovitis was commonly observed in this cohort of JIA patients. The fair to moderate correlation of MSUS synovitis with patient- and provider-reported outcomes suggests that MSUS assesses a different, possibly more objective, domain not determined by traditional JIA outcome measurements. |
Assessing Bleeding Symptoms in Pediatric Patients with Generalized Joint Hypermobility. In a cohort of pediatric patients with GJH, three-quarters of participants had abnormal bleeding scores with mean bleeding score significantly elevated compared to healthy controls. We propose that screening for bleeding symptoms be integrated into routine care for GJH patients, with referral to hematology for patients with bleeding concerns. |
Association of Traumatic Knee Injury with Radiographic Evidence of Knee Osteoarthritis in Military Officers. At the midpoint of a projected 20-year military career, officers with a history of traumatic knee injury have a markedly increased prevalence of knee rOA compared to officers without injury. |
Associations between Patterns of Esophageal Dysmotility and Extra-Intestinal Features in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. IEM may associate with a milder phenotype. Further studies are needed to evaluate AC, IEM and their clinical impact relative to the timing of other end organ complications in SSc. |
Burden, Causes and Outcomes of Hospitalization in Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis: A US National Cohort Study. Infection and cardiovascular diseases are common causes of readmission, and may be related to corticosteroid exposure. Population health management strategies are required for these vulnerable patients with GCA. |
Clinical Characterization of Juvenile Fibromyalgia in a Multi-Center Cohort of Adolescents Enrolled in the FIT Teens Trial. JFM is characterized by chronic widespread pain with fatigue, nonrestorative sleep, and other somatic symptoms. However, how diffusely pain is distributed appears less important to clinical outcomes and impairment than other somatic and psychological factors highlighting the need for a broader approach to the assessment and treatment of JFM. |
Influence of Social Support, Financial Status, and Lifestyle on the Disparity Between Inflammation and Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Greater emphasis is needed on the economic and social contexts of individuals with RA at presentation; these factors might influence disability over the following decade. |
MRI-based semi-quantitative grading allows to specifically select knees with subsequent cartilage thickness loss. MRI-based grading of articular pathologies allows to specifically select progressor knees suitable for inclusion to clinical trials but also to identify knees, in which treatment is not indicated (e. g., knees without cartilage damage despite presence of radiographic OA). |
Perceived Stress Independently Predicts Worse Disease Activity and Symptoms in a Multi-Racial/Ethnic Systemic Lupus Cohort. In a racially diverse sample of persons with SLE, those who experienced an increase in stress had significantly worse disease activity and greater symptom burden at follow-up compared to those with stress levels that remained stable or declined. Findings underscore the need for interventions to bolster stress resilience and support effective coping strategies among individuals living with lupus. |
| Arthritis Res Ther |
Early removal of the infrapatellar fat pad/synovium complex beneficially alters the pathogenesis of moderate stage idiopathic knee osteoarthritis in male Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs. /conclusion Formation of the FCT resulted in reduced OA-associated changes in both bone and cartilage. This benefit may be associated with a decrease in inflammatory mediators at transcript and protein levels; and/or improved biomechanical properties. Thus, the IFP/SC may play a role in the pathogenesis of knee OA in this strain, with removal prior to disease onset appearing to have short-term benefits. |
Levels of extracellular matrix metabolites are associated with changes in Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score and MRI inflammation scores in patients with axial spondyloarthritis during TNF inhibitor therapy. Extracellular matrix metabolites were associated with ASDAS response, MRI inflammation, and clinical treatment response during TNF-inhibitory treatment in patients with axSpA. |
Low disease activity of microscopic polyangiitis in patients with anti-myosin light chain 6 antibody that disrupts actin rearrangement necessary for neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Collective findings suggested that anti-MYL6 antibody disrupted actin rearrangement necessary for NET formation and could reduce the disease activity of MPA. |
Multiparametric autoantibody analysis: a new paradigm for the diagnosis of connective tissue diseases. This is the first study that analyzes the clinical and diagnostic impact of autoantibody profiling in CTD. The results obtained with the new Aptiva-PMAT method may open interesting perspectives in the diagnosis and sub-classification of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. |
Neuronal CRMP2 phosphorylation inhibition by the flavonoid, naringenin, contributes to the reversal of spinal sensitization and arthritic pain improvement. Taken together, our results demonstrate that NAR alleviates inflammation and chronic pain in CIA model, which might be related to its inhibition of neuronal CRMP2 S522 phosphorylation, potentially mitigating the central sensitization. Our study provide evidence for the potential use of NAR as non-opioid-dependent analgesia in arthritic pain. |
Quantification of pre-existing radiographic damage and its relationship with joint activity and long-term clinical outcomes with secukinumab therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis. PsA patients showed substantial prevalence of RD at baseline that correlated with time since diagnosis, but patient's individual joint activity was strongly associated with pre-existing RD at those joints. Patients with the highest RD at baseline had a reduced likelihood of achieving zero joint count status. |
The effect of targeted rheumatoid arthritis therapeutics on systemic inflammation and anemia: analysis of data from the CorEvitas RA registry. The CRP decrease at month 6 was greater with IL-6Ri compared with TNFi and JAKi, regardless of baseline CRP status (both p < 0.05). These real-world results align with the mechanism of IL-6R inhibition and may inform treatment decisions for patients with RA. |
| Arthritis Rheumatol |
Anti-mitochondrial antibodies predict erosive disease development in rheumatoid arthritis. Our findings demonstrate the presence of novel autoantibodies targeting mitochondria in RA. AMAs stratified patients based on disease phenotype and predicted development of erosive disease, including in patients with seronegative disease. Our results highlight the essential role of mitochondria in RA pathogenesis and suggest a possible benefit of therapies targeting mitochondrial-mediated inflammation and clearance in these patients. |
Downregulation-resistant STAT4 risk haplotype contributes to lupus nephritis through CD4 T cell IFN- Carriers of the risk variant exhibit exaggerated CD4 pro-inflammatory capacities that, in the context of SLE, contribute to a more severe disease. R/R patients may benefit from blockade of the IL-12-STAT4 pathway. |
HLA-DPB1 is associated with ANCA-associated vasculitis in children. Similar to previous findings in adult AAV, we found that the HLA-DPB1 locus is associated with pediatric AAV. Despite the difference in the age of onset, these findings suggest that childhood- and adult-onset vasculitis share a common genetic predisposition. The identification of genetic variants contributing to AAV is an important step to improved classification tools and treatment strategies. |
I These results suggest that IKKe regulates cartilage degradation through a catabolic response mediated by NF- |
Independent osteoarthritis risk-conferring alleles mediate the same epigenetic and transcriptional effect on a shared target gene, COLGALT2. COLGALT2 is a target of this OA locus. We previously characterised another OA locus, marked by rs11583641, that independently targets COLGALT2. rs1046934, like rs11583641, mediates its effect by modulating expression of COLGALT2 via methylation changes to CpGs located in enhancers. The SNPs, CpGs and enhancers are distinct between the loci but the effect on COLGALT2 is the same. COLGALT2 is the target of independent OA risk loci sharing a common mechanism of action. |
Knee alignment correction by high tibial osteotomy reduces symptoms and synovial inflammation in knee osteoarthritis accompanied by macrophage phenotypic change from M1 to M2. Correction of lower-limb alignment with HTO attenuated synovial inflammation and changed macrophage polarization from M1 to M2, suggesting an improved intra-articular environment of knee OA. |
Maturity of circulating antibody-secreting cells is associated with disease features in primary Sjögren's syndrome. Numbers and maturation stage of ASCs in pSS patients are increased and correlate with disease parameters. A higher maturity index of ASCs marks a pro-survival and pro-inflammatory phenotype. Altogether, B cell hyperactivity in pSS extends to the peripheral ASC compartment raising potential for ASCs as future biomarker or target for pSS treatment. |
Modulating T-bet-promoted energy metabolism in pathogenic age/autoimmune-associated B cells ameliorates lupus autoimmunity. T-bet can couple immune signals and metabolic programming to establish pathogenic ABC formation and functional capacities. Modulating ABC favored metabolic program could be a novel therapeutic approach for lupus. |
NET-borne elastase prevents inflammatory relapse in intercritical gout. ULT causes shrinkage of the tophi reflected by an increase of the level of serum cell-free DNA. In the resolution phase of murine tophi, the NET-associated neutrophil elastase degrades proinflammatory cytokines and, thus, ameliorates inflammation. |
NLRP3 attenuates intraocular inflammation by inhibiting AIM2 mediated pyroptosis through the P-SIK1/SREBF1 pathway. Our data show that NLRP3 inhibits AIM2 inflammasome mediated EAU by regulating the P-SIK1/SREBF1 pathway, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting Nlrp3. |
Paradoxical Effects of Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase 1 Deficiency on HLA-B27 and Its Role as an Epistatic Modifier in Experimental Spondyloarthritis. ERAP1 deficiency reduced HLA-B27 misfolding and improved folding while having opposing effects on HLA-B7. The finding that HLA-B27-Tg rats had partial protection against SpA in this study is consistent with genetic evidence that loss-of-function and/or reduced expression of ERAP1 reduces the risk of ankylosing spondylitis. Functional studies support the concept that the effects of ERAP1 on HLA-B27 and SpA may be a consequence of how peptides affect the biology of this allotype rather than their role as antigenic determinants. |
Protein profiling in pre-symptomatic individuals separates MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA vasculitides. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify protein markers preceding symptom onset in AAV. These findings set the stage for further research into underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms in AAV pathogenesis and the diversification into the PR3-ANCA and MPO-ANCA sub-phenotypes. |
| Rheumatology (Oxford) |
A machine learning approach reveals features related to clinicians' diagnosis of clinically relevant knee osteoarthritis. Random forest models presented good performance in explaining clinicians' diagnosis, which helped to reveal typical features of patients recognized as clinically relevant knee OA by clinicians from two different care settings. |
Artificial Intelligence in osteoarthritis: repair by knee joint distraction shows association of pain, radiographic and immunologic outcomes. Automatic radiographic measurements show improved joint structure in most patients after KJD in regular care. MAC JSW increased significantly and was associated with SF biomarker level changes and even with improvements in pain as experienced by these patients. |
Controversies in Rheumatology: Telemedicine-friend or foe? In this article, the opportunities and threats of telemedicine in rheumatology are debated. A possible way forward is to complement traditional face-to-face visits with information gained by telemedicine, in order to render these consultations more efficient rather than replacing personal contact by technology. |
Determinants of health-related quality of life across the spectrum of connective tissue diseases using latent profile analysis: Results from the LEAP cohort. Distinct HR-QoL subgroups exist that are not primarily driven by the specific diagnosis or autoantibody profiles. We identified a number of key demographic and clinical factors associated with poor HR-QoL. These factors need to be addressed across the whole CTD spectrum as part of a holistic management approach aimed at improving overall patient outcomes. |
Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for monogenic autoinflammatory diseases presenting with recurrent fevers among adults. Diagnosis of monogenic AIDs is based on personal and family history and detailed analysis of symptoms associated with febrile attacks, in the context of elevated peripheral inflammatory markers. This review proposes a practical approach of the diagnosis of the main monogenic AIDs among adult patients to guide the clinician. |
Efficacy of subcutaneous vs intravenous infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis: a post-hoc analysis of a randomised phase III trial. IFX s.c. showed improved efficacy at W30 compared with IFX i.v., and the reduced between-group difference in efficacy outcomes at W54 after switching supports the results suggesting benefits of IFX s.c. compared the IFX i.v. at W30. |
Factors associated with change in health-related quality of life in people with gout: a three-year prospective cohort study in primary care. Older age (PF10), being female (PF10, HAQ-DI) and BMI (HAQ-DI) were associated with worse generic HRQOL (p-value = 0.05). Gout-specific, comorbid and socio-demographic factors were associated with change in HRQOL over a three-year period highlighting people at risk of worse outcomes who could be targeted for interventions. |
Immune complex-mediated neutrophil activation in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. Neutrophil activation, including NET formation, is increased in PMR, through IC-mediated engagement of Fc |
Incidence of septic arthritis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis following TNF-inhibitor therapy. TNF-inhibitors increase the incidence of SA, specifically in patients with SPRA, but not AS. Importantly, age, comorbidities, and the early time period after starting TNF-inhibitors were associated with SA, that should be considered simultaneously when initiating TNF-inhibitor therapy. |
Population-based prevalence and incidence estimates of mixed connective tissue disease from the Manhattan Lupus Surveillance Program. The MLSP provided estimates for prevalence and incidence of MCTD in a diverse population. The variation in estimates using different case definitions is reflective of the challenge of defining MCTD in epidemiologic studies. |
Predictors of hypogammaglobulinemia in ANCA-associated vasculitis after a rituximab-based induction: a multicentre study. In AAV patients treated with rituximab, hypogammaglobulinemia at 6 |
Prospective double-blind study on the value of musculoskeletal ultrasound by dermatologists as a screening instrument for psoriatic arthritis. MSUS led to a change of PsA suspicion in 46 cases, with PsA no longer being suspected in 45 of them. This study was able to demonstrate that PsA screening using MSUS by previously trained dermatologists can lead to more precise PsA detection and potentially decreased rheumatologist referral rates. |
The added value of predictive biomarkers in treat-to-target strategies for rheumatoid arthritis patients: a conceptual modelling study. The use of a biomarker for prediction of response to b/tsDMARD treatment in RA can be of added value to current treat-to-target clinical care. However, gains in efficacy are modest and cost gains are depending on a combination of early proactive tapering and high medication costs. |
Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy and incisional biopsy of the parotid gland are comparable in diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome. US-guided CN biopsy of the parotid gland is at least equivalent to incisional biopsy of the parotid gland in the diagnostic work-up of pSS. |
Plenty of the editorials are available as full text through the publisher website using the provided link
| Ann Rheum Dis |
Novel aspects in the pathophysiology and diagnosis of glomerular diseases. Novel therapeutic approaches aim to mitigate these changes more efficiently and rapidly. Several new agents, such as avacopan, an oral C5aR1 inhibitor, or imlifidase, that dissolves IgG within minutes, are more specifically reducing inflammatory cascades in the kidney and repeat tissue sampling might help to understand their impact on immune cell deposition and finally kidney function recovery and potential impact of immune complexes/deposits. |
| Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) |
| Arthritis Rheumatol |
misc publications eg case reports, tools of the trade, images of the month, etc…
| Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) |
| Arthritis Rheumatol |
| Rheumatology (Oxford) |
Letters to the editors and authors’ replies
| Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) |
| Arthritis Res Ther |
Response letter to "Latent class analysis of 216 patients with adult-onset Still's disease" by Sugiyama et al. In 2022, VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome, an established X-linked disease associated with a somatic mutation in UBA1, is considered as a differential diagnosis for AOSD particularly in elderly. These patients from Class 2 could benefit from more explorations for mild myelodysplasia and VEXAS. |
| Arthritis Rheumatol |